UK 2006
Ten delightful days with my daughter touring London and the Highlands of Scotland
- May 26th through June 4th -


DISCOVERING LOCH NESS & GLEN AFFRIC
(Part deux)
 

Glen Affric is home to one of the largest ancient Caledonian pinewoods in the UK. Generally acknowledged as "the most beautiful glen in Scotland," it provides habitat for many rare flora and fauna. It was recently designated a National Nature Reserve.

  With so much of Scotland's forested lands having been cleared,
it was wonderful to see so many striking and statuesque Scots pines in one place.
That deep blue body of water is Loch Benevean.
 

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Clan MacDonald Tartan
(weathered)

My Scottish roots go back through
the Kanes, members of the MacDonald clan.
My maternal grandmother was Elizabeth Rowland Kane.
Her father, Robert, was born here shortly after his parents,
Daniel and Elizabeth Kane, emigrated from Edinburgh
in the mid-nineteenth century.
 

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The battle at Colluden Moor

On April 16, 1746, the dreams of an independent Scotland were dashed as 5,000 ill-equipped and under-nourished Jacobite Highlanders were overwhelmed and slaughtered by 9,000 well-equipped and well-fed English troops on Culloden Moor. "Bonnie" Prince Charles commanded his brave but overmatched Highlanders, and had to be coerced to leave the battlefield after defeat was a certainty. The Duke of Cumberland, having vanquished the Scots, ordered his soldiers to kill all the wounded on the battlefield, which they did with sickening and relentless brutality. Not satisfied, he instructed his English troops to search the surrounding countryside in the days following, slaughtering any and all survivors in cold blood.

  The gray skies and misty rain over Culloden Moor seemed to set
an appropriate tone for remembering the bravery of the Highland Scots
and the despicable behavior of the English in their bloody victory.
Click here for a comprehensive look at the battle and its aftermath.
 

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Fishing with my daughter Guided by James Coutts, Jennifer and I brushed up on our
fly casting skills, and, despite the high winds and cool temperature,
managed to land a brown trout each.

To see more of our trip, click on the links below:

LONDON
London Home Page
Chelsea Flower Show
Tower of London - Part One
Tower of London - Part Two
The British Museum
Billy Elliot - The Musical

SCOTLAND
The Trafford Bank Hotel
Discovering Loch Ness - Part One
Cawdor Castle - Part One
Cawdor Castle - Part Two

Note:  each page includes links to each of the others

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Encouraging words are always welcome at
johndallasbowers@verizon.net